Fraud in online commerce: 1500 seizures by the Guardia di Finanza in 4 weeks of intense analysis and control activities
Around 1500 seizures in 4 weeks of intense analysis and control activities in the European e-commerce sector, coordinated by the GDF and ADM at the end of last year, with the support of OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office: this is the outcome of the Joint Customs Operation POSTBOX III, which took place between October and November 2021, the results of which were presented in recent days within the Law Enforcement-Customs Working Group of the Council of the European Union.
The operation, led by Italy, involved the customs authorities of 20 EU Member States, which concentrated their skills on illicit trafficking of goods through the Internet and the dark web, with particular attention not only to the phenomena of smuggling and under-invoicing, but also to counterfeiting, trafficking of illegally traded drugs and medicines as well as goods related to the pandemic emergency.
At EU level, approximately 35 thousand items were seized for counterfeiting, mostly in the clothing and footwear sector, but also of certain significance were the 1500 seizures of items related to the COVID19 emergency, including test kits, protective devices and the controversial substance “ivermectin”.
Italy, which participated with 10 offices with control responsibilities on postal hubs and express couriers (Bergamo Orio al Serio, Bologna, Brescia, Modena, Pisa, Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino, Venice, Milan Malpensa, Linate and Roserio), carried out the largest number of interventions, with approximately 42 thousand pieces seized for counterfeiting: clothing and accessories, shoes, watches, electrical and electronic devices and mobile phone accessories.
The intense analysis activity carried out by the Special Unit for the Protection of Privacy and Technological Fraud of the Guardia di Finanza and by ADM, also with the contribution of a group of European experts in dark web investigations (Joint Cyber Expertise) specifically set up for the operation, has allowed the identification of administrative and criminal offences perpetrated on the network and, subsequently, to develop the investigative cases, through follow-up operations on the territory with controlled deliveries and searches which have resulted in reports for the crime of counterfeiting.
The trade and dissemination of illegal material through the web and e-commerce platforms is confirmed as a growing threat to legality, economy and security.
Operation POSTBOX III has demonstrated, once again, the value of proactive cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies at both EU and international level.
that national and the effectiveness of the exchange of information and intelligence to combat fraud on the Internet.
Article published on May 11, 2022 - 10:21 pm
